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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. lateriflorum

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (L.) Á. Löve & D. Löve var. lateriflorum

Calico Aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Aster hirsuticaulis, Aster lateriflorus, Aster lateriflorus var. hirsuticaulis, Aster vimineus, Solidago lateriflora, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. hirsuticaule

USDA Symbol: SYLAL7

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Habitat: Forest Edge,Prairie/Meadow/Field

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Pearl Crescent
(Phyciodes tharos)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. lateriflorum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. lateriflorum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. lateriflorum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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